By Zach Travis

Detroit Free Press Special Writer

Zach Travis is a manager of the Wolverines blog Maize n Brew. His opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the Detroit Free Press nor its writers. Read his column every week here and contact him anytime at zwtravis@gmail.com.

As circumstances swirl around Michigan's basketball team, so too do perceptions and expectations change. Once thought to be a major challenger for the Big Ten title, U-M has of late been cast as something else, a second tier team missing its most important big man and coming off a disappointing December.

However, two games into the Big Ten season there are signs that this team is beginning to gel. While this may not be a Big Ten championship caliber squad, the depth and talent on display is once again intriguing.

The loss of Mitch McGary for the season was a major blow to U-M's depth chart. McGary is a game changing big man on both sides of the court, and was for stretches one of U-M's best offensive catalysts thanks to the chaos he can create and his ability to work the ball into transition where U-M is most effective. However, with him out Michigan has relied heavily on two of its most experienced players.

Jordan Morgan is the elder statesman of the team, its lone senior and a longtime starter that willingly moved to the bench to make way for Mitch McGary. As Morgan's role has once again grown he has shown the quiet effectiveness that made him an integral part of U-M's recent success. He has defended well, hit the boards, and made the most of his limited opportunities in the offense. Against Northwestern on Sunday he was a perfect three of three from the floor and two of two from the line.

Jon Horford has also broken into the lineup and proven to be a difference maker in McGary's absence. Horford has the athleticism to be a factor as a shotblocker and he is one of the lone Wolverine big men that possess a competent back-to-the-basket game. Against Minnesota he went 30 minutes and scored 14 points with nine rebounds.

With the hole in the center filled, U-M is free to continue to let its talented wings create the offense. Glenn Robinson III has continued to flash improvement as a shot creator, letting the game come more naturally to him within the context of John Belein's offense. This has taken some of the pressure off Nik Stauskas and opened things up for other players.

Of course, Michigan has also gotten contributions from its younger players. With Robinson out with an injury for most of the second half against Minnesota Michigan turned heavily to freshman Zak Irvin who delivered with five three-pointers to help push U-M over the edge. Meanwhile, Derrick Walton continues to gain confidence in the offense.

U-M still has a long ways to go before it can seriously think about winning the Big Ten, but the 2-0 start has been a positive development for a team that seemed lost or broken for spurts over the previous month. Even without Mitch McGary, the talent is there to play well against the best the Big Ten has to offer, and if U-M can continue to diversify its scoring options while not starting slow, this team is still capable of making noise in the conference race.

The Wolverines get two more of the Big Ten's bottom-feeders before the first major test of the season in a game against Wisconsin in Madison. Given how much U-M has grown over the last couple weeks, it could be a different team that takes the floor — one every bit capable of beating the Badgers on their home court.